Today is a special day for all the cake lovers out there because it’s National Fruit Cake Day! Whether you love it or hate it, this delightful treat has a place in many holiday traditions. Let’s celebrate with a delicious fruit cake recipe that’s sure to impress your friends and family. Get ready to indulge in the goodness of dried fruits, nuts, and a hint of spice.
Get Ready to Bake!
Before we dive into the ingredients and instructions, let’s take a look at this scrumptiously rich fruit cake that’s bursting with flavor!
Ingredients
To create this delightful fruit cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits (e.g., raisins, currants, chopped dates)
- 1 cup mixed nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans, almonds, chopped)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 tablespoons rum or brandy (optional)
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients, let’s get started on making this wonderful fruit cake!
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and grease a round cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the dried fruits, mixed nuts, orange juice, and rum or brandy if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
This fruit cake is perfect for gatherings, gifts, or simply to enjoy at home. Slice it up, serve it with a cup of tea or coffee, and share the joy of this flavorful treat. Happy National Fruit Cake Day!